Bullet Ballet

ghevans · #1 3rd September 2003, 10:50 AM

definately get Bullet Ballet if you're a fan of Tsukamoto's works - i loved it and probably rate as the best of his films so far.

I wrote a review on my site about it if you fancy taking a look but I will warn you it may contain spoilers.

www.jpreview.com

Mandi Apple · #2 23rd September 2004, 04:42 PM

And Artsmagic are also set to release Bullet Ballet, so I'm stoked to be able to get to see it pretty soon - I'm starting to develop a bit of a romance with Tsukamoto's kind of moviemaking

Is it really that good, G? I can't wait to see this!

ghevans · #3 23rd September 2004, 07:16 PM

id hate to over sell Bullet Ballet but it is a completely brilliant film. I think its definately one you have to be in the mood for though - i was just in the perfect frame of mind for it - Tsukamoto is a god !

Ah to hell with overselling it's a class class class class film. EVERYONE MUST SEE IT !!!!!

Mandi Apple · #4 24th September 2004, 02:03 PM

Had this mail from Artsmagic literally about five minutes ago concerning their forthcoming January 2005 release of Bullet Ballet (warning: ultra long post alert!):

"Bullet Ballet is one of our two January releases, (the other is 9 Souls), and is our first release by the highly acclaimed Shinya Tsukamoto. Tsukamoto is very much a formalist in the eyes of many critics. Yet this didn't stop one member of Artsmagic (who'd happily sat through films like Evil Dead Trap and Shinjuku Triad Society) from switching off Tetsuo, saying it was disgusting! Yes, we do have our disagreements here.

Bullet Ballet is neither as surreal nor as alienating as Tetsuo. For all that, in many ways it is a continuation of the obsessive investigation into the relationship between a human being and the city that has spawned him, and particularly Tokyo. It was made in 1998, and came between two more commercial projects, Tokyo Fist (1995) and Gemini (1999). Unlike these films, Bullet Ballet was made by Tsukamoto's own company, Kaiju Cinema, and financed by the director. In fact , its ultimate success ensured the continued existence of the company.Like all productions of Kaiju to date, it is shot in black and white, the perfect medium for emphasising the formal aspect of his work.

Ten years in the creation, the film came at a low spot in the director's life. He believes his earlier work all showed a positive side to life....some might be hard pushed to find much of this in Tetsuo: The Iron Man....and that when he finally came to bring the film into being, he had lost sight of any reason for living. None of this shows in the film. Although, as he admits, some have found it dull, and though he thinks that that may be due to his state of mind at the time, it works with the same sense of frenzied energy and collapse as Kafka's The Trial. It shares little else with the latter. Whereas K. in the trial is thrust by external forces into a bizarre world that he desperately tries and fails to interpret, Goda, the director of commercials, attempts to find meaning in his own desolate world by involving himself in bizarre activity.

Whilst his mastery of black and white is indisputable, the people that inhabit this world are not ciphers, but individuals. Tsukamoto reveals that at the time that he was bringing his Tetsuo project to a close, he became interested in a particular group of young people who were attracting a lot of media attention at the time. These were young affluent children from good families who identified themselves and their group by anti-social activity. Sounds familiar? But not only are these characters real individuals, but they are also representatives of various generations. It seems that for the director, World War 2 still remains the faultline from which point those on the later side of the temporal divide are unable to empathise with those who participated, and in this lack of understanding they are deprived of any real knowledge of life and death.

Three generations are involved; the generation that took part in the war, Tsukamoto's generation (he was born in 1957), and the young people of the late 90s. Of these, only the older generation has any true insights into life, although this brings with it no moral cachet; they are as flawed as their successors. For all this, they possess real experience, which the younger people lack and desire. In a very real sense, Bullet Ballet can be seen as these individuals attempt to complete their education by starting their own war.

It may be because of this portrayal of humanity as a creature that needs to fulfil itself through experiencing the possibility to destroy its own likeness or its own extinction that Tsukamoto finds the film bleaker than his earlier works. Indeed, the exploration of the darker side of humanity overtakes the exploration of the city/citizen idée fixe.
For all that, his use of black and white contrasts and his camera positioning give the film an allure that few recent monochrome films have attained, and these are likely to provide a clue as to why, for many of his fans, Bullet Ballet is his very best film."

So yes, we're going to be reviewing this, and I'm really looking forward to it - Tsukamoto's movies seem to offer me something to get my teeth into, whereas Alex's reviews are definitely moving towards, as he puts it, the trash'n'slash category

Thanks also for the overselling G - now I'm even more excited about this than I was

Mandi Apple · #5 10th October 2004, 01:51 AM

I'm just writing our review for Bullet Ballet now, and I have to say: in no way did ghevans oversell the movie. It's a solid gold masterpiece IMHO

Looks divinely beautiful (I know Ras will love it, as he's such a Tetsuo fan), has a really mad but immensely involving and emotional storyline, and - well, it rocks rocks rocks rocks rocks. IMHO, anyway.

(Don't worry, I won't be putting that little gem in the review

It's 2am, give me a break!

)

Artsmagic are set to release this little beauty in around mid-January 2005, so I suggest heartily that you all get your Simoleons saved up for this 'un

Yani · #6 11th October 2004, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Apple

Mandi's review of Shinya Tsukamoto's Bullet Ballet has been uploaded to http://www.mandiapple.com/snowblood/bulletballet.htm.

Discussion of the movie continues here.

Excellent review! After seeing Tsukamoto's A Snake of June I was happy to find this rating: " Sex: 0/10". Screenshots are awesome and the movie looks great! I'll remember this film. Cool wallpaper Alex.

Mandi Apple · #7 11th October 2004, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yani

Excellent review! After seeing Tsukamoto's A Snake of June I was happy to find this rating: " Sex: 0/10". Screenshots are awesome and the movie looks great! I'll remember this film. Cool wallpaper Alex.

I haven't seen A Snake of June but I really, really want to

Glad you liked the page, Yani

I loved it, I really did, and I'm really looking forward to the Artsmagic January 05 release 'cos I'll probably end up buying it even though I already own one

Btw, G's review of this movie was fab, even though I didn't read it until after I had seen the movie (due to his thoughtful spoiler warning above!) - it's strange how every single review I've read has interpreted the story's message in subtly different ways. Awesome cool film

ken the psycho · #8 11th October 2004, 10:36 PM

Reading this thread and reading the review has gotten me hyped up to see this. Oh man, I really want to see this film.

Sigh, January 2005 isn't soon enough.

ghevans · #9 11th October 2004, 11:04 PM

Glad you enjoyed it M&A - i really did think for a minute that i may have oversold it - because it really did have an amazing impact on me the first time i saw it (on some crappy transfer from thailand i think) - suffice to say the Artsmagic transfer is stunning - crystal clear picture, great subs I really can't wait to see what extras they may have lined up.

Excellent stuff indeed. How did you fair with 9 Souls after? Let me know in the 9 Souls thread (before i take this one off topic

)

Vertigo · #10 24th January 2005, 10:38 PM

You...just...have...to...see...this.

Finished watching Bullet Ballet not long ago...and f*ck it....I'm going right back to watch it again. Ghevans said at the top of the thread that you should see this if you're a fan of Tsukamoto's work. True...but I'd go as far as to far to say just see it if you love movies...the way they're put together...if you just enjoy the way that something you're sat watching. something you have little to no control over can grab you by the collar and slap you silly...

This movie carefully and quietly slips a hook into you in the opening few moments and then rips right through your senses over the next ninety minutes or so before dropping you to the ground, shattered and satisfied, at the end. I won't trifle with plots etc - better people than me have captured that quite nicely elsewhere (M...you're review couldn't be more spot-on or thoughtfully put together)...you just need to see this peeps. Get the Artsmagic disc when it comes out or pick up one of the imports floating about.

Judge Rage · #11 25th January 2005, 08:06 AM

Hey all, HISASHIBURI (long time no see)

I have been going back and forth about Bullet Ballet. I haven't read the review, as I don't want to spoil the movie, but as a NON-fan of Tetsuo do you think I would enjoy it. The Snowblood Apple Choice movies contain mostly my favorites, and a handful I didnt like. Tetsuo was one of them. If it is as good as the folks here think I am willing to give it a shot....

thanks in advance!

gwyddon · #12 17th September 2005, 06:49 PM

Re-watched Bullet Ballet today, this time on the Artsmagic DVD, and also after having read Tom Mes's book..

The film is simply fantastic - it looks so perfect. Bullet Ballet definitely showcases Tsukamoto's editing skills although I can't quite pick one example.

Hrm, I don't think I can say anything other than that I still love this film and that I was sucked in instantly and never once looked at the clock. But then, most of Tsukamoto's films are like that.

Wonderful, powerful, well-filmederful!

Rasen · #13 17th September 2005, 10:31 PM

Can't believe this is the first time I noticed this thread!

Quote:

I know Ras will love it, as he's such a Tetsuo fan

Ras did love it.

It's one of the best films I've seen all year.

I also notice my old Tetsuo avvy has found a new home

Mandi Apple · #14 19th September 2005, 08:13 AM

I knew it would be right up your street

It's just such a beautiful piece of work, I can't imagine how anyone could not love it

AmongTheOrchids · #15 20th February 2006, 04:00 AM

Tsukamoto is clearly a masterful artist in every aspect. This film was visually captivating, and the music was good too. I have mre respect for Tsukamoto than any other director, because of how seriously he takes his art. When he makes a movie, he takes on all the jobs to make sure it's exactly the way he dreams it. He is amazing and inspirational to me (An aspiring film student.)

Now I loved Tetsuo, and didn't find it particularly confusing, possibly due to its simplicity... but Bullet Ballet, while I'm sure it was a beautiful story, kind of lost me. I feel dumb as a rock, but I don't think I understood it to its full potential. I'll watch it again someday... because I know I liked what I did understand.

Overall... another excellent effort and product by the film God, Tsukamoto.

gwyddon · #16 20th February 2006, 05:21 PM

I feel just the same about Tsukamoto and his films. Bullet Ballet is actually not that complicated apart from the gang's problems which gets rather confusing towards the end - just re-watch it and you'll probably understand it all. I seem to recall you asking about interviews with Tsukamoto - did you watch the one on the Bullet Ballet DVD? It's quite informative.

If you ever act on your film aspirations, please let us know - it'd be interesting to see the product of somebody who's influenced by Tsukamoto!

AmongTheOrchids · #17 21st February 2006, 03:17 AM

I haven't watched the commentary yet, but I'm dying to. I find myself far too busy these days to re-watch movies... even with commentary by a genious such as Tsukamoto.

I'm still in high school right now, but as soon as I move on to art school, I'll keep you guys updated with every piece of film I create! (Maybe some paintings too!)

Ichi-kun · #18 26th March 2006, 07:17 AM

I just finished watch this. To be honest, I'm a bit disappointed.

I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. While it is a good film and does have it's good merits (I'll get to that a bit later), it's a yakuza film, and gang type of movie about shooting each other and getting in fights with friends don't really appeal to me. Some people love yakuza flicks; they're just not my type of movies. Same could be said for this one.

Having said that, I found it extremely visual. I thought it was very very cool in that aspect, along with the soundtrack (!) and the unexpected depth to the characters and they're actions. The music was really good in some scenes, and I was surprised that we really sympathized with these people- they are, in reality, low lives who don't care if they live or die. But for some reason, we care about them, which is why the end scene is so captivating. And the acting really helps this: Shinya Tsukamoto did an excellent job in this department, along with the directing job, and Kirina Mano was equally great. I thought the message of the film was put across really well also. These characters are depresed and have little self-love, and we shouldn't, but we care for these people because they are much more complex and emotional compared to their rough exteriors. We connect to these people, which is why it's a bit hard to watch some of the scenes with self-mutilation and overdosing.

What I didn't like was the pacing: the first 20 minutes were really slow and to be honest somewhat uninteresting, but it picked up and got fascinating from then on. But during that last 20 minutes, the pacing slowed down drastically, and never really seemed to get going again. Also, the movie seemed kind of confusing at times, they gang got into a fight for no reason, and quickly ran away once they were done.... but I guess that's what gangs do .

So I didn't like this as much as I thought I would, since I don't really like yakuza flicks in general, but I did think it was good. Very stylish, original, dark and depressing... And violent. Unfortunately I thought it was too depressing and dark.

A mere 6.5/10 for me, although it is pushing a seven now that I've thought about it. Perhaps I'll enjoy Tetsuo a bit more?

AmongTheOrchids · #19 27th March 2006, 03:13 AM

As long as it was the plot, not the style getting in your way... you'll have better luck with Tetsuo. I found it to be the same way for myself.... even though I started with Tetsuo.

Ichi-kun · #20 28th March 2006, 02:10 AM

I just watched it again- I was highly surprised that I enjoyed it a lot more. Now it's up to a 7.5/10 for me.

I really enjoyed it this time. A lot of things became really apprent on second viewing: I noticed even more how artistic and powerful the imagery was... And I realized that the film is actually an intriguing study in depression. Like I said in my previous post, these people just aren't happy with themselves, and because of thier little self-love, they don't care if they live or die- actually, they seem like they'd find true happiness in death, much like the teens and unhappy people in Suicide Club did. And we care about them because the movie makes us realize that they are also human, and that they're no different from us.

I found the movie even more depressing and emotionally-involving this time around, too. The end scene, where the man has to unprofessionally cremate his colleagues, and where Goda and Chisato depart with no intention of seeing each other again... And where it shows that they both may have found happiness is just so sad and even painful to watch, since we care so much about the characters.

I also noticed Shinya Tsukamoto's brilliant directing (and acting, of course). I especially loved how the chase scene near the end was shot: three people chasing each other, and it showed each of them in sequence running at each other. That was really cool.

So overall, I really like the movie now. It's interesting, how this happens with a lot of movies I watch... I think Um, okay, that was decent, but then I watch it again and end up loving the movie... It happened with A Tale of Two Sisters (I was confused at first), then several others, notably Suicide Club, then this one.

This is such a very stylish and dark, depressing and fascinating film